Sarah McPherson Foster

Sarah Frances McPherson Foster, 96, a native and long-time resident of Cobb County, GA, died May 25, 2025, in Marietta, GA at her residence. Sarah was born on Johnsons Ferry Road in the farm home built in 1907 by her parents Augustus A. ‘Gus’ McPherson and Mertice Lee Dunn McPherson, both descendants of Cobb County pioneer families. Life on the farm was not extravagant, but Sarah’s sister Evelyn recorded that the family always had enough to eat, unlike some families growing up during the depression. While Sarah’s father farmed, her mother sold eggs and churned butter to make money for the girls to take piano lessons and other “extras.” Sarah told her niece Alexis Hacker Booker about the year they had a bountiful Christmas. Mrs. Montagu, who had a fishing camp that Sarah’s father managed for her, brought 2 dolls, one each for Sarah and Evelyn, and their mother kept them for Christmas. But the girls both found 2 dolls each under the tree on Christmas, because their parents had dolls for them also. Christmas gifts normally were a box of oranges that their father hid in the bedroom under the bed - and made the place smell ‘so good’. Sarah said; and a box of large raisins with an edible seed in them. Today you can only get these special order online. Sarah said they were delicious. Sarah graduated from Marietta High School in 1946 and then attended Young Harris College. For a time Sarah lived in Brunswick, GA, where she worked on her paintings and honed her artistic skills. Later, she moved back to Marietta where she was hired into the Marietta School District, became assistant to the Superintendent, and retired from that job after 25 years. Sarah was active in the Sope Creek Garden Club in Marietta and was considered a Master Gardener. She became a skilled painter and delighted friends and family by gifting them with her paintings. She won many first-place ribbons at North Georgia State Fair, most for her floral entries but also for her paintings. She was an excellent cook and hostess; and her daughter and nieces laughingly despaired of ever meeting her Southern hostess and Southern woman standards. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Horace Augustus McPherson and L.M.McPherson, both of Marietta, GA; and one sister, Mertice Evelyn McPherson Hacker of Conroe, TX. She is survived by two children, Susan Foster Kersey of Marietta, GA, and Stephen LeVaughn Foster (wife Joni) of San Antonio, TX; one grandson, Tom William Kersey of Marietta, GA; one step-grandchild, Jessica Rhyne; and several nieces and nephews. Interment will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery (formerly called Post Oak Cemetery), Post Oak Tritt Road, Marietta, GA, and a private celebration will be held at a later date. Sarah will be interred near her parents, who donated the land for a new Mt. Zion Church to be built in 1964 on Johnson’s Ferry Road. The original church was located next to and then across the road from then Post Oak cemetery. The family suggest that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at (give.choa.org).

Sarah McPherson Foster

April 15, 1929 - May 25, 2025